As a young American, the health care bill is really important to me. As someone who is currently dealing with no longer being covered by my parents' insurance policies and trying to figure out my own, the health care bill is really important to me. As a woman who cares about having control over my own body , the health care bill is really important to me.
There are so many issues at hand with this health care bill. Our lives are literally on the line, so it is no wonder that people are scared and worried. It's especially scary because it's just not feasible for the average citizen to wrap his or her mind around the entirety of this bill, no way to read every page and provision, no way to understand every proposed amendment.
Still, several issues have managed to make their way to the forefront because of their partisan and controversial nature. I am not registered with an political party because I am unable to align myself enough with any one to justify doing that, but I am very sure of my thoughts on many of the issues being currently discussed by our Senators today.
When the bill went through Congress, Congressmen Stupak (D-MI) introduced an amendment that was subsequently accepted by Congress. To overgeneralize, this amendment bans any coverage of abortion in the public option and also stops those who receive a federal subsidy from getting an insurance plan that covers abortion. What it comes down to is a huge, likely impossible, hurdle for many women to get an abortion in America. Is that fair? Me thinks no.
So I decided to do something about it. I, like many people, am often angered by the actions of our politicians. I talk about what I wish Congresswoman Soandso had done or how I wish Senator Fillintheblank had voted. But I, like most people, never told my Congressperson or Senator that. I came to realize today that this was silly and Senators Gillibrand and Schumer should know exactly what I thought about Stupak and his ideas.
I was super nervous at first, but I called the general operator that can connect you with any Congressional office. She told me that the line at Senator Gillibrand's office was busy but offered me the direct number so I could call myself, and then proceeded to also give me the number for Senator Schumer. This woman was totally awesome and, without actually saying it, totally encouraged me to continue on my mission.
I called Gillibrand first because I knew that she is very set on preventing Stupak-esque language from entering this health care bill. I was put on hold and after a few minutes a young sounding aide answered and listened to me talk about how this health care bill is really important to me as a young American woman and he assured me that the Senator is working hard to make sure my voice and opinion is heard, at which point I asked him to thank her and wished him a great day. Not only was it easy, it was super exciting! When I put down the phone I had such a rush!
Unfortunately, Senator Schumer's office had a busy signal that I could not get past even though I called repeatedly throughout the day. Still, I am happy that I did something rather than sitting idly by, hoping Congress does not take away my reproductive rights.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Aid and AIDS
Today is World AIDS Day. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, "World AIDS Day is observed every year on December 1st. The World Health Organization established World AIDS Day in 1988. World AIDS Day provides governments, national AIDS programs, faith organizations, community organizations, and individuals with an opportunity to raise awareness and focus attention on the global AIDS epidemic."
Why should we care though? What makes AIDS so important that it needs a day where the whole world should contemplate, learn, and take action?
Well, contemplate this: over one million Americans are living with HIV. One Million. That's a huge amount of people. Contrary to popular belief that it's a problem from decades ago, or that you only have to worry about it if you're gay, HIV and AIDS are prevalent in this country. It's a very significant problem in America, effecting every race, gender, age group, and social class.
I really like the suggestion made my Samhita at Feministing. In her post she says "As someone who has friends that have suffered with and without support, through shame and a world that discriminates, and has worked to overcome my own fears, I strongly recommend reading some stories, educating yourself and breaking out of the cycle of shame by talking." So take a look at the stories from the AIDS Memorial Quilt, or people currently living with HIV. Read about Ryan White, and his struggle with discrimination and perception.
But don't stop there. Learn about the global problem. Throughout the day I've come across these facts:
So we contemplated. We learned. What do we do now?
There's actually a lot to do, and if you've read this far, you're already equipped to do it. Advocacy may seem like a small thing, but it can make a huge difference. Awareness about HIV/AIDS is very much needed. People need to know how HIV can and cannot be contracted and what it is doing to our global community. You don't have to become a professional AIDS educator and make those presentations that many of us snoozed through in grade school. You can tweet a link to the World AIDS Campaign, or post a Facebook note about travel restrictions placed on people who are HIV positive. You can wear a red ribbon to show your support for the cause. Show it off. Tell people about it. Encourage people you know to wear one too.
And as cheesy as it sounds, you can by something from (Product)RED. Sure, it might be better to send $50 directly to HIV/AIDS research, but let's be honest...are you actually going to do that? I know that I haven't. But I also know that I would have bought that cute Inspi(red) tee shirt from Gap even if the proceeds weren't going to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS. At least this way 50% of my money was donated. I get to wear a cool new shirt, feel good about shopping with a conscientious company, know where my money went, spread the word, and show people I care without even trying.
I leave you with a grammar lesson. "HIV virus" is redundant, as HIV stands for Human immunodeficiency virus.
Now go off and advocate!
Why should we care though? What makes AIDS so important that it needs a day where the whole world should contemplate, learn, and take action?
Well, contemplate this: over one million Americans are living with HIV. One Million. That's a huge amount of people. Contrary to popular belief that it's a problem from decades ago, or that you only have to worry about it if you're gay, HIV and AIDS are prevalent in this country. It's a very significant problem in America, effecting every race, gender, age group, and social class.
I really like the suggestion made my Samhita at Feministing. In her post she says "As someone who has friends that have suffered with and without support, through shame and a world that discriminates, and has worked to overcome my own fears, I strongly recommend reading some stories, educating yourself and breaking out of the cycle of shame by talking." So take a look at the stories from the AIDS Memorial Quilt, or people currently living with HIV. Read about Ryan White, and his struggle with discrimination and perception.
But don't stop there. Learn about the global problem. Throughout the day I've come across these facts:
- Africa is home to ony 10% of the world's population, yet that's where 67% of all HIV cases are.
- 2 Million children under the age of 15 live with HIV.
- 2008 saw over 2 million AIDS related deaths.
So we contemplated. We learned. What do we do now?
There's actually a lot to do, and if you've read this far, you're already equipped to do it. Advocacy may seem like a small thing, but it can make a huge difference. Awareness about HIV/AIDS is very much needed. People need to know how HIV can and cannot be contracted and what it is doing to our global community. You don't have to become a professional AIDS educator and make those presentations that many of us snoozed through in grade school. You can tweet a link to the World AIDS Campaign, or post a Facebook note about travel restrictions placed on people who are HIV positive. You can wear a red ribbon to show your support for the cause. Show it off. Tell people about it. Encourage people you know to wear one too.
And as cheesy as it sounds, you can by something from (Product)RED. Sure, it might be better to send $50 directly to HIV/AIDS research, but let's be honest...are you actually going to do that? I know that I haven't. But I also know that I would have bought that cute Inspi(red) tee shirt from Gap even if the proceeds weren't going to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS. At least this way 50% of my money was donated. I get to wear a cool new shirt, feel good about shopping with a conscientious company, know where my money went, spread the word, and show people I care without even trying.
I leave you with a grammar lesson. "HIV virus" is redundant, as HIV stands for Human immunodeficiency virus.
Now go off and advocate!
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Popcorn, Santa, and That Scary Place Called Tomorrow
I'm in a weird place in life, trapped somewhere between being a child and an adult. I'm just beginning to break out on my own, taking care of myself and my necessities, and it's making me miss my childhood.
This weird nostalgia started on this very day, the Sunday after Thanksgiving, last year
Hicksville is kind of an odd town. It's pretty big so people don't know each other and there are no town issues or meetings. Not really a big sense of community. But they still have a few standing tradition, one of which, in my mind, stands out amongst all others.
Every year on the Sunday after Thanksgiving, firefighters get on their firetrucks with one guy dressed as Santa, and they ride through the streets with their sirens blaring, and they throw popcorn balls to all of the people who come and stand out on their lawns.
It's kind of silly really, and not all that thrilling when you think about it. I don't remember being very excited about it when I was a kid. But last year I was overjoyed. In years past I had already been back in Syracuse by Sunday afternoon, so I had missed the tradition for a while. Plus I was approaching the end of my college career and worrying about what I was going to do after graduation. I think I was just so desperate to grasp on to some sense of stability and protection, and this little piece of my childhood was exactly that.
I was out there dancing on the lawn, cheering, and waving...basically making a fool out of myself to guys I probably went to high school with. But I didn't care. At that moment I was in bliss.
A year has gone by, and in that time I've graduated, interviewed, worked, and become an AmeriCorps. And now I'm kind of feeling like I was this time last year: terrified because I have no idea what's next. Grad school is hard to apply for when you aren't 100% sure about your direction. The job market is "eh" at best. There is so much I want to do and I don't know how to go about it.
But things like Popcorn Ball Sunday remind me that it's okay. It's all going to work out. It's the little things like that one day a year when Santa hurls a sweet treat at year that really matter.
This weird nostalgia started on this very day, the Sunday after Thanksgiving, last year
Hicksville is kind of an odd town. It's pretty big so people don't know each other and there are no town issues or meetings. Not really a big sense of community. But they still have a few standing tradition, one of which, in my mind, stands out amongst all others.
Every year on the Sunday after Thanksgiving, firefighters get on their firetrucks with one guy dressed as Santa, and they ride through the streets with their sirens blaring, and they throw popcorn balls to all of the people who come and stand out on their lawns.
It's kind of silly really, and not all that thrilling when you think about it. I don't remember being very excited about it when I was a kid. But last year I was overjoyed. In years past I had already been back in Syracuse by Sunday afternoon, so I had missed the tradition for a while. Plus I was approaching the end of my college career and worrying about what I was going to do after graduation. I think I was just so desperate to grasp on to some sense of stability and protection, and this little piece of my childhood was exactly that.
I was out there dancing on the lawn, cheering, and waving...basically making a fool out of myself to guys I probably went to high school with. But I didn't care. At that moment I was in bliss.
A year has gone by, and in that time I've graduated, interviewed, worked, and become an AmeriCorps. And now I'm kind of feeling like I was this time last year: terrified because I have no idea what's next. Grad school is hard to apply for when you aren't 100% sure about your direction. The job market is "eh" at best. There is so much I want to do and I don't know how to go about it.
But things like Popcorn Ball Sunday remind me that it's okay. It's all going to work out. It's the little things like that one day a year when Santa hurls a sweet treat at year that really matter.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)